Inside Story

"Coming mom," Lavender Brown called down the stairs as she folded the letter and tied it to her owl, Darwin.

This letter was part of a pen-pal system she had found in the Daily Prophet. She could, under a secret penname, correspond with someone else in disguise. This way she could spill her secrets discreetly and someone would listen. It had been a month and she really liked this guy. 'Mr. Min Stree' was his name. She went by 'Lavy B. Me'.

She didn't know anything about where he lived or who he was. All she new was he just got out of school and had the job of his dreams. He seemed a sweet guy and he really seemed interested in her.

"Sweetie, dinner's ready," her mom repeated, as Lavender bounded down the stairs.

"I know I was just in the middle of something, gosh," she sat down next to her dad and across from her mom.

"What were you doing that was so important as to be late to dinner, again?" Her father inquired angrily as he smacked the potato salad bowl next to her.

"Just writing a letter to...to Parvati," Lavender said, not looking at either of her parents. "I haven't talked to her in a while; I had a lot to say. I'm sorry."

"Alright, well just don't let it happen again. You'll see her in about two weeks. Isn't it? Yes I think so. You should be getting your Hogwarts letter too soon. Well anyways, Amy how was your day at work?" Her father asked as he started his dinner and Amy sat down.

"Fine honey, we had some complications with the computer..." her mother rambled on as Lavender zoned out. She was thinking of that guy, Stree. This time the letter was about Hogwarts. She knew he had gone there. He was filling her in on all the secrets of the teachers for fifth year and how much harder it was, which she didn't find reassuring. He seemed sweet enough.

"Lavender! Don't you hear me when I'm talking to you?" Her mother asked, looking annoyed and waving a hand in front of her face.

"Sorry, Mom. I-I zoned out. What was that?" Lavender said as she shook herself back her dinning room table.

"I asked if you wanted to go to Diagon Ally Wednesday. You can plan to meet up with some of your friends if you want. Parvati and Padma maybe," Amy suggested as she stood and picked up some dishes.

"Yeah, sounds great. Thanks Mom. I'll write to them in the morning and make plans. Hopefully the letter will come tomorrow over breakfast."

"Perhaps. I'm going to go listen to the WWN and finish up some holiday homework. I'll see you guys in the morning." Lavender bounded upstairs as she slipped into her attic type room off to the right.

It was small, yes, but nice. The mocha-pink walls were covered in scattered pictures of various wizard pop stars, models, and athletes. She had a queen-sized bed squished in the far left corner under a big bay window. A mirror, pink desk, and an off-white armoire lined the walls. Her baby blue carpet was barely visible through the piles of clothes, magazines, and class books.

She stepped through the mess to her bed and grabbed the nearest magazine off the floor and flicked on the wireless that sat on her nightstand.

She awoke suddenly to a 'tap-tap' on her window. She picked up her head off her magazine and sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Her parents must have shut off her wireless before going to bed. Lavender opened the window and a small gray-speckled owl swooped in and landed on her desk. She untied the hastily folded note and began to read

Dearest Lavy,

I must warn you that I might not be writing for a while. Things have come up with my family and I have little time at work. I have to say, however, that I do wish you luck with school as it approaches and I hope things get better between you and your friend. I am pleased to inform you that I know your new DADA teacher for this coming year. She's a sweetie and I've had the opportunity of working with her for the past couple of years. She's a hard-worker and knows a lot of great tricks for teaching and stuff. I believe you and your classmates will enjoy her. But please, do not get on her bad side. She does have connections all the way to the top, so she will get you the punishment she feels fit if you disobey her wishes. She won't be hard though, she really doesn't like to be mean. I hope you get to know her and you become friends.

Now about your parents, I totally understand. Parents can be very annoying. They want to know everything about you. All parents will. You have to be honest with them and give them what they need to know in order to make them back off a bit. If you gain their trust perhaps they'll lighten up.

Again, good luck and I'll miss you for a while. Don't hesitate to write whenever, but I may not be able to respond as soon as usual.

With love always,

Mr. Min Stree

She read it quickly and stood up. She fed the owl and let it go. She didn't have much to say yet, so she wouldn't pester him with thank yous and such.

She glanced at her clock on the wall. She had 5 hours before her parents would expect her for breakfast. She set her alarm, changed and climbed back into bed. She smiled.